tubular lock decoding without expensive tools

[Rickthepick]

playing around as per usual picking tubular locks...

so iv thought of a cool way to cheaply decode them.

First thing is to manually pick the lock.
Go easy on the tension when you feel its about to open and when it does stop it before it relocks on the next pins so that you have all upper pins resting inbetween bores.

Now i propose to make a needle like tool to measure the depth of these top pins now theyre under no spring influence.

write down your readings and cut yourself a key with your handheld cutter.

much easier than trying to pick every degree of turn i reckon.


Another approach would be to impression a key from that position. this would probably be more use on a Vanlock and i think id do this by placing spare pins down each pinbore and then using 2part resin to bind them and essentially have an improvised key.

Anyone got a spare vanlock and il explore this with pictures

[loki-aka]

Just thinking aloud, to determine the key pin height, take readings of the stack and subtract the driver height. O.K.
What if the drivers vary in height from chamber to chamber- balanced stack style ? Maybe I am thinking about this wrong.

[loki-aka]

This might just work. We would need to know a few demensions, but it could work. I guess as long as the top pins are not resting on the drivers, driver height would not matter.

Rick, good inspired thought.

[globallockytoo]

Many tubular lock picks are designed to actually determine/decode the lock as you pick it.

Tighten the nut around the fingers and duplicate it on your ace/gem duplicator. No need for a code machine or S&D keys.

[Rickthepick]

Many tubular lock picks are designed to actually determine/decode the lock as you pick it.

Tighten the nut around the fingers and duplicate it on your ace/gem duplicator. No need for a code machine or S&D keys.

yes we know that this is just a cheapskates method

[jpb06080]

I've never had a whole lot of success using the dedicated tubular tools. Bumping them I find to be pretty effective though, so long as you have the pick tool available and you use a properly made bump key. After its bumped, but before it resets at the next stack, insert the tool into the keyway and depress all the feelers as far is they go, then tighten. Then simply decode or duplicate this "key".

[globallockytoo]

I've never had a whole lot of success using the dedicated tubular tools. Bumping them I find to be pretty effective though, so long as you have the pick tool available and you use a properly made bump key. After its bumped, but before it resets at the next stack, insert the tool into the keyway and depress all the feelers as far is they go, then tighten. Then simply decode or duplicate this "key".

Bumping tubular?
I have never seen it done. I would have thought it to be pretty hard to bump though.

[loki-aka]

Seeing a tubular bumping video would be interesting.

[Rickthepick]

dont see why it wouldnt work pickng tubular locks can be tedious

[jpb06080]

Depends on the lock, but its very doable. Variable springs make it difficult to impossible to use decoding pick like in ace II. Just make a key to depth 7+, then file about about an 8th of an inch from the top. Also, Remove the notch which retains the key. The big problem with it is that it locks up at every pin stack. 7 pin will lock up 7 times, 8 pin will lock up 8 etc. Thats whats so great about having the decoding tool on hand.

[Josh K]

Depends on the lock, but its very doable. Variable springs make it difficult to impossible to use decoding pick like in ace II. Just make a key to depth 7+, then file about about an 8th of an inch from the top. Also, Remove the notch which retains the key. The big problem with it is that it locks up at every pin stack. 7 pin will lock up 7 times, 8 pin will lock up 8 etc. Thats whats so great about having the decoding tool on hand.

I imagine if you bumped it and then rotated it slightly (not catching) you could then decode it rather easily.

[Raymond]

I have sucessfully decoded this type of lock by the use of a very soft aluminum or copper tube of the approximately correct size. After picking and parking the center plug between pins, hammer the tube into the lock. The soft metal will deform to a usable key that can be decoded normally. Decode it quickly before using as metal this malleable wont last much use.

[nostromo]

Once it's picked to a 'between the pins' position, why not use a wire feeler guage to measure the distance between the plug face and the top of each pin. Before picking, measure the distance between the lock face and a pin whose spring is in full extension (ie- zero depth cut).

Use a micrometer or dial caliper - and subtract the zero cut measurement from each pin depth to get the actual cut.

Two stiff wires next to each other will work if held closely together. One to touch the lock face, the other to touch the pin.

Hope I'm clear enough.

[jpb06080]

This is exactly what I use the dedicated tubular tool for. Takes about 2 seconds. I just remove the bump key, insert the decoder and push all the feelers as far down as they will go then tighten. I now have a working key which can be either decoded or duplicated.